Collective System Problems , The International Studies Conference on collective
:security which sat last week at Chatham House reached some interesting, though not always entirely convincing, conclusions. Broadly speaking its members endorsed the general principles underlying the League of Nations Covenant, and took the view that military sanctions were in the• last resort essential against an aggressor clearly identified. But such sanctions on a world scale were recognized to be impracticable, and regional pacts organized within a' collective system, so as to avoid the danger of their resembling the old alliances, were approved. That is all quite sound, but there is more doubt about the conclusion' that the case of nations unwilling to abandon their neutrality by joining in sanctions should be met by drawing a distinction between direct and indirect partici- pation and non-participation in hostilities. Within limits no doubt this right of choice exists. An agreed article attached to the Locarno Pact recognizes the principle of limitations on obligations under Article XVI of the Covenant. But to encourage the idea that the League can work if any of its members can at any moment repudiate responsibility for supporting it would be highly unwise. On such a basis the League would be useless as an instrument for .the repression of war.
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